TPWD 1963 F-7-R-11 #864: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-A, Job No. B-18: Fisheries Reconnaissance

JOB COMPLETION REPORT as required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-7-R-ll FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS OF THE WATERS 0F REGION I-A Job No. B-18 Fisheries Reconnaissance Project Leader: Lonnie Peters J. Weldon Watson Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Assistant Director, Wildlife June 2, 1964 ABSTRACT Reconnaissance was done on eleven lakes and five rivers this segment. Lakes surveyed were Baylor, Buffalo, Buffalo Springs, Childress, Fryer, Marvin, McClellan, Pauline, Reese Air Force Base, Stamford, and the White River Reservoir. Rivers surveyed were the Brazos, Canadian, Pease, Red, and the White River. Lake Baylor showed a rise in game fish percentage from 1962 to 1963. Data indicate that the carp are not spawning in this lake. Buffalo Lake showed a small rough fish pepulation percentage increase from 1962 to 1963; however, continuing efforts are being made to curtail their ex- pansion. Buffalo Springs Lake continues to be a problem, but a separate job description has been written on this lake in an attempt to determine the lake's problems and devise methods of correction. Lake Childress is in good condition, although a general loss in ”K" factor has occurred since 1962. Lake Fryer needs management, badly, and the best answer would be a chemical renovation of the lake and watershed. Lake Marvin has a sunfish problem which is linked with its clear water and dense vegetation. Lake McClellan needs management, but it is recommended that this be postponed until a proposed alteration of the dam and Spillway is implemented. Lake Pauline has produced very good growth in stocked largemouth bass since its renovation last year. Reese Air Force Base Lake produced good growth in largemouth bass and channel catfish stocked early in the spring. Lake Stamford shows no major changes and two new species were recorded this year: longnosed gar, Lepisosteg§_osseus, and redear sunfish, Lepomis microlthus. The White River Reservoir and watershed were renovated in November. All rivers surveyed showed practically no fishing potential, and very few localities showed large minnow populations. JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. Fu7wR-ll Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region luA Job No. B~18 Title: Fisheries Reconnaissance e December_31,ll963___ ,Januaryul,ll963 Period Covered Objectives: To collect representative samples of fish pOpulations from waters where data are needed to determine changes in the balance of species and changes in the conditions of individual species. To determine basic ecological conditions where not available from previous surveys, or major changes in ecological conditions having important effects on the fish population. To determine utilization and fish harvest of each concerned water area. To determine if management, development, or stocking programs are needed, and to recommend such programs as are necessary to improve the fishery. Techniques Used: 0n lake surveys, both seines and varying numbers of standard survey gill net units were used. Small fish were seined in water up to four feet deep with a 20wfoot one~eighth inch mesh seine or a 40mfoot onemfourth inch mesh seine. Deeper water was seined with a lOwaoot or a 300~foot onenhalf inch mesh seine. Where nets were used, they were set in the evening and taken up the next morning from established netting stations. After the fish were removed from the nets, 50 fish (if available) of each species were weighed, measured for standard length and sexed. The remaining fish were counted and weighed to permit.com~ putation of percentage composition by numbers and weight. Game or predatory Species had their stomachs removed and the stomach and contents were preserved in 10 per cent formalin for food analysis in the laboratory. Physical data collected during the lake surveys included air temperature, water temperature, estimated wind speed and direction, weather conditions, and where pertinent, water chemistry and dissolved oxygen content. In some lakes plankton and bottom samples were taken. On river surveys, seines were used to make fish collections in almost all cases unless deep pools were located, and then standard survey gill nets were used. Fish that were seined and which were known to be beneficial species were counted and returned to the water. Unidentified species or fish whose identity might be questioned were returned to the laboratory in 10 per cent formalin for identification and counting. Undesirable Species were counted but not returned to the water. Physical data collected during each river survey included air and water temperature, estimated wind velocity and direction, stream or pool width and depth, rate of flow, vegetation, bank conditions and cover available in the water. Techniques used in determining major ecological changes were observation of the number, condition, and ratio of fishes collected plus observation of the water level, turbidity, and general condition of the water being surveyed. Utilization of the waters surveyed and fish harvest were determined by conversation with fishermen and lake concessionaires. Analysis of present data and comparison with past data is the basis for any management, development, or stocking recommendations. Findings: Results of reconnaissance are presented according to data for each lake in alphabetical order, and following the lakes, for rivers in alphabetical order. Lakes surveyed this year were Baylor, Buffalo, Buffalo Springs, Childress, Fryer, Marvin, McClellan, Pauline, Reese Air Force Base, Stamford, and the White River Reservoir. Rivers surveyed this year were the forks of the Brazos, Canadian, Pease, Red, and the White River. Lake Baylor Lake Baylor was surveyed in June and October 1963. Table 1 shows the results of gill netting in June and Table 2 shows the October results. A comparison of these tables indicates a 15.31 per cent decline in the game fish population during the summer and a corresponding 15.14 per cent rise in the rough fish pOpulation. Populations of individual species show variation between June and October in the following manner: carp m 11.29 per cent increase, black bullhead - 3.45 per cent increase, channel catfish m 16.29 per cent decrease and white bass - 0.05 per cent decrease. No largemouth bass were netted in June and two were netted in October. However, clear water and the selectivity against catching largemouth in gill nets may explain this absence of bass in the netting sample. It is known from fisherman success and talking with the concessionaire that there is a good p0pu1ation of largemouth bass in Lake Baylor. Table 1. Percentage Composition by Number and Weight and Average Weight of Fish Species Taken by 10 Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets from Lake Baylor _ June 1963 Per Cent Per Cent by . Total by Average Species Number Number Weight Weight Weight Carp 31 21.67 88.10 54.18 2.84 Carp-goldfish hybrid l 0.70 0.90 0.56 0.90 Channel catfish 39 27.28 42.74 26.29 1.09 Black bullhead 54 37.76 14.44 8.88 0.26 Flathead catfish 2 1.40 9.27 5.70 4.03 White bass 6 4.19 6.06 3.73 1.01 Longear sunfish 1 0.70 0.07 0.04 0.07 White crappie 9 6.30 1.00 0.62 0.11 Total 143 100.00 162.58 100.00 Table 1 continued Game Fish 57 39.86 59.14 36.38 Rough Fish 86 60.14 103.44 63.62 Total 143 100.00 162.58 100.00 Table 2. Percentage Composition by Number and Weight and Average Weight of Fish Species Taken by 12 units of Standard Survey Gill Nets from Lake Baylor- October 23, 1963 Per Cent Total Per Cent by Weight by Average Species Number Number Pounds Weight Weight Carp 60 32.96 222.71 74.06 3.71 Carp—goldfish hybrid 2 1.10 4.81 1.60 2.41 Channel catfish 20 10.99 26.00 8.64 1.30 Black bullhead 75 41.21 19.01 6.33 0.25 White bass 13 7.14 17.98 5.98 1.38 Largemouth bass 2 1.10 8.12 2.70 4.06 Bluegill 1 0.55 0.14 0.04 0.14 Longear sunfish 2 1.10 0.15 0.05 0.08 White crappie 7 3.85 1.78 0.60 0.25 Total 182 100.00 300.70 100.00 Total Game Fish - 45 24.73 54.17 18.01 Tota1_Rourh Fish 137__H____,_75.27__ _ 246.53_ 81.99 The game fish population shows a rise in percentage composition from the 1962 survey in May to the June 1963 survey of 21.43 per cent indicating continuing good fishing for Lake Baylor. Tables 3 and 4 show seining data. The June survey produced 185 forage- size fish in 12 hauls. It should be noted that plains minnows had recently been placed in the lake by the concessionaire. Thirty-three largemouth bass of finger- ling size were seined, indicating that adequate reproduction had occurred in the lake. The lake level had drOpped about four feet from June to October and cover was less abundant in October. This allowed more fish to be seined, although minnows are still very scarce due to the lake's abruptly deepening shoreline with little shelving liminal zone. There is little suitable area with cover to allow minnow propagation. The minnow species with the most individuals seined in October was the red Shiner with 406. Table 3. Percentage Composition of Fish Taken in 12 hauls by a 20wfoot one-eighth inch Mesh Seine from Lake Baylor, June 1963 Number Per Cent Plains minnow 117 63.24 Bullhead minnow 5 2.70 Red Shiner 6 3.24 Ghost Shiner 2 1.09 Bullhead catfish 1 0.54 Mosquitofish. l 0.54 Longear sunfish 9 4.86 Bluegill 10 5.41 Green sunfish 1 0.54 Largemouth bass 33 17.84 Total 185 100.00 Table 4. Percentage Composition of Fish Taken in 12 hauls by a 20-foot One- eighth Inch Mesh Seine from Lake Baylor. October 23, 1963. Species _ Number Per Cent Red Shiner . _ 406 44.86 Bullhead minnow 15 1.65 Killifish 7 0.78 Mosquitofish 353 39.00 Largemouth bass 5 0.56 Green sunfish 32 3.53 Bluegill 80 8.84 Orangespotted sunfish 7 0.78 Total 905 100.00 ' Examination of the food items in Tables 5 and 6 shows seasonal variation in food. In June the channel catfish consumed much grain, maize, wheat, and some corn.' From Table 5 it is apparent that they had little competition for this (probably introduced) food. Potomogeton Sp. was next in frequency of occurrence and the black bullheads were competing with the channel catfish. Insects, both larvae and adult, seem to be.next in demand for both black bullheads and channel catfish. Microsc0pic crustaceans were eaten in about the same pr0portions by channel catfish and black bullheads. White bass preyed on fish (largemouth bass), dragonfly larvae, and Crustacea, and all four crappie had eaten insect larvae. Table 5. Frequency of Occurrence of Food Items from Predatory Species taken from Lake Baylor ~ June 1963 Channel Black White Flathead Longear White Species Catfish Bullhead Bass Catfish Sunfish Crappie Number Examined 39 50 6 2 1 9 Number with food 32 31 6 1 0 4 Food Items - Frequency Algae 4 1 1 Q Largemouth bass 2 Black bullhead l 1 Corn 1 Crayfish 2 Crustaceans 6 6 2 Dragon fly larvae 3 2 2 1 Fish remains 5 3 1 Insect larvae 9 21 1 4 Insect remains 5 3 Maize l4 1 Mud 2 4 Mussels 3 3 Potomogeton 17 10 Vegetation l 1 Wheat 5 Wood 1 1 WW Table 6. Frequency of Occurrence of Food Items from Predatory Species Taken from Lake Baylor by 12 units of Standard Survey Gill Nets. October 23, 1963 Species Channel Black White Largemouth Longear White Catfish Bullhead Bass Bass Sunfish Crappie Number Examined 21 50 ll 2 2 7 Number with food 10 29 8 2 2 3 Food Items - Frequency Algae 6 7 2 Daphnia 4 1 Fish remains 3 5 2 1 Insect larvae 1 2 2 2 1 Pocket gOpher remains l Mud l7 Mussels 1 1 Sand 3 [\3 N etation In October, grain is gone as a food item, Potomogeton Sp. is missing and algae tOpS the list as food for channel catfish and is recorded as food for black bullheads. Fish remains occurred in black bullheads, white bass, large- mouth bass, and white crappie at this time of the year. Tables 7 and 8 give ”K” factors for the June and October surveys. ”K” factors for June Show a drOp in black bullhead condition, compared to May 1962, from 2.4 to 1.6. Channel catfish remained stable at 1.6 for all three surveys. Data for 1962 do not have enough fish for valid ”K” factor comparisons other than with black bullheads and channel catfish, although 5 white bass averaged 2.7 and 5 carp averaged 2.5. In June and October 1963 white bass averaged 2.4 and 2.6 respectively. Almost all carp netted were large and no young have been recorded in seine samples, indicating a lack of successful spawning by carp in Lake Baylor this year. Table 7. ”K” Factor Range and Average for FiSh taken from Lake Baylor by 10 units of Standard Survey Gill nets ~ June 1963. .S'...eCieS . _ _ _ . _ _ _ . . _ . _ . _ _ . _ e ______ Aera Carp 31 1.1-2.9 2.4 Carpwgoldfish hybrid l 3.0 3.0 Channel catfish 39 1.3-1.9 1.6 Black bullhead 50 1.9m3.9 1.6 Flathead catfish 2 1.7-2.7 2.2 White bass 6 2.3-2.7 2.4 Longear Sunfish l 4.7 4.7 White craUH-L-ie __ _ _ _ ,9 __ _2_ 7 _ 2 5 Table 8. ”K” Factor Range and Average for Fish taken from Lake Baylor with 12 units of Standard Survey Gill Nets. - October 23, 1963 Species Number of Fish Range Average Carp 49 1.7-3.6 2.7 Carp-goldfish hybrid 2 3.4-3.6 3.5 Channel catfish l9 1.3-2.2 1.6 Black bullhead 50 l.5~3.2 ' 2.5 White bass l3 2.3m3.0 2.6 Largemouth bass 2 2.9~3.6 3.3 Bluegill l 3.4 3.4 Longear sunfish 2 4.2-4.5 4.4 White cra-yie___l 7 2.4é3.4__ 2.8 Buffalo_Lake Buffalo Lake was surveyed in July and November 1963. July netting data, given in Table 9, Show 566 fish of which 38.34 per cent were game fish. The game fish portion of the fish population is composed of 9.54 per cent channel catfish, 13.96 per cent bluegill, 14.32 per cent white crappie, 0.35 per cent white bass and 0.17 per cent longear sunfish. The rough fish portion of the fish population consists of 27.73 per cent carp, 23.68 per cent black bullheads and 10.25 per cent goldfish and carpngoldfish hybrid. Table 9. Percentage Composition by Weight and Mean Weight of Fish taken by Gill Net from Buffalo Lake w July 24, 1963. { Total Per Cent Weight by Mean C._.ent . Pounds .. w-eiht Carp 157 _ 27.73 468.65 58.57 2.98 Goldfish 25 4.42 41.18 5.15 1.64 Carpwgoldfish hybrid . 33 5.83 98.78 12.34 2.99 Channel catfish 54 9.54 77.85 9.73 1.44 Black bullhead 134 ”23.68 68.14 8.52 0.50 White bass 2 0.35 2.44 0.31 1.22 Bluegill 79 13.96 22.84 2.85 0.28 Longear sunfish 1 0.17 0.08 0.01 0.08 White cra;-ie__ _ ___ _ _3 '__81___I____14.32 ‘ . 20.11‘_ _C_w; 0.24 Total I 566 100.00 800.07 100.00 Game Fish 217 38.34 123.32 15.41 Rou-h Fish_ 349 “_d,,__61.66,_ _676.75___ 84.59 .. In November, 549 fish were collected by gill nets and Table 10 Shows that 47.72 per cent Of them were game fish- The game fish portion of the fish pOpulation is composed of 36.62 per cent white crappie; and largemouth bass, channel catfish, white bass and sunfish Species comprise the remaining 11.10 _ per cent. ' Table 10. Percentage composition of Fish Species taken from Buffalo Lake by 12 Units of Standard Survey Gill Nets - November 13, 1963 Per Cent Total Per Cent by Weight by Mean Species Number Number Pounds Weight Weight Carp 76 13.84 242.1 38.05 3.19 Goldfish 9 1.64 18.2 2.86 2.02 Carp-goldfish hybrid 53 9.65 79.5 12.50 1.50 Channel catfish 16 2.92 40.3 6.33 2.52 Black bullhead 149 27.14 104.3 16.39 0.70 White bass 10 1.82 7 9 1.25 0.79 Largemouth bass 10 1.82 2 7 0.42 0.27 Bluegill 23 4.19 5.8 0.91 0.25 Longear sunfish 2 0.36 0.2 0.03 0.10 White crayyie_ _‘_____ ____‘2Ol____J_,__36.62__‘__135 2 _21.26_ 0 67 Total 549 100.00 636 2 100.00 Game Fish 262 47.72 192.1 30.19 0.73 h Fish ROI-1 . - . . _ . . . . . . _ . 69o81 . _ . . _ Comparing July and November, netting data Show a 9.38 per cent rise in game fish which can be attributed, for the most part, to the increased crappie population. Comparison of data from July and November Shows a population increase of 1.47 per cent for white bass, 1.82 per cent for largemouth bass, 3.46 per cent for black bullhead and 22.30 per cent for white crappie. The channel catfish pOpulation declined 6.62 per cent in number but showed a rise in mean weight, as did all other species except white bass and they were taken in insufficient numbers for a valid comparison. Comparison with the 1962 netting results Shows an increase in game fish from April 1962 to July 1963 surveys and a loss between the two November surveys. There is an increase in all game fish except crappie which were superabundant in two nets in 1962, and this reflects a crappie pOpulation decline from 1962 of 29.47 per cent. The channel catfish population increased 2.64 per cent, white bass 0.43 per cent and largemouth bass 1.12 per cent. I All rough fish populations increased from November 1962 to November 1963 by the following percentages: carp m 5.07, carpwgoldfish hybrid — 8.19, goldfish - 1.08, and black bullhead _ 13.49. Two-hundredmfoot seine sample data collected in April 1962, when compared to three~hundred-foot seine samples collected in July 1963 data in Table 11, reveal a population decline in goldfish of 28.05 per cent and a small decline in largemouth bass and golden Shinersi Population increases of 0.51 per cent by carp, 43.79 per cent by black bullheads and 23.36 per cent by white crappie were also indicated by the data collected with the long seines. Red river Shiners, plains minnows, fathead minnows and plains killifishes were taken in 1963 while none were taken in 1962. Table 11. Percentage Composition of Fish taken from Buffalo Lake with a 300-foot Seine - July 24, 1963 Species Number Per Cent Carp 26 1.52 Goldfish 4 0.23 Hybrid (carp-goldfish) 2 0.12 Golden Shiner 134 7.86 Red river Shiner 1 0.06 Plains minnow 4 0.23 Fathead minnow 6 0.36 Plains killifish 1 0.05 Bullhead catfish 1005 58.95 Largemouth bass 12 0.70 Bluegill 53 3.11 OrangeSpotted sunfish 1 0.06 Longear sunfish 6 0.35 White crappie 450 26.40 Total -1705 100.00' Seining data collected with a 20~foot and a 40-foot seine in July (Table 12) Show a 13.08 per cent forage fish population (omitting sunfish and bullheads). Data from the 20-foot seine sample for November are in Table 13. If small sunfish are included as forage fish, the seine samples Show 16.35 per cent forage for July and 80.13 per cent for November. The July figure reflects the terrific number of small black bullheads seined in schools which might also be included as forage, in which case 95.04 per cent forage fish would be shown in the July seining samples. Table 12. Percentage Composition of Fish taken from Buffalo Lake with a 20-foot one-eighth Inch Mesh and a 40-foot one~fourth Inch Mesh Seine — July 24, 1963 Species Number Per Cent Carp 6 0.67 Golden Shiner 47 5.30 Red river Shiner 26 2.93 Red Shiner 20 2.26 Fathead minnow 15 1.69 Black bullhead catfish 698 78.69 Plains killifish 8 0.90 Largemouth bass 5 0.57 Green sunfish 17 1.91 Bluegill 5 0.57 OrangeSpotted sunfish 3 0.33 Longear sunfish 4 0.45 White crappie 33 3.73 Total 887 100.00 W